Anti-evolution Vandals?

Presumed anti-evolution vandals are repeatedly defacing the cars of biologists from the University of Florida, according to the University's student newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator.

Over the course of several months, a number of biology professors who had "Darwin fish" emblems and pro-evolution stickers on their cars noticed that the symbols had been pulled or scraped off. In some cases, religious prayers were left on the cars. Most recently, Brian McNab, a professor emeritus of ecology at the University, noticed that his tires had been punctured with two-inch nails. Zoologist Betty Smocovitis told the Florida Alligator that she would simply continue to replace the Darwin fish on her car.

The biologists suspect the culprits to have strong anti-evolution sentiments, and have reported the crimes with the University Police Department. (Hat tip to The Chronicle of Higher Education.)

As a fervent believer in both God and evolution, it is apparent to me that these vandalsÂ have done a poor job of learning the message of love and compassion. Is this how they expect to win over non-believers?Â

I was raised Catholic, but thankfully science has shown me the light.I'm now a closet atheist.Â This articleÂ is a reminder of how religionÂ slows our understanding of reality (at best) and aggressively counters against what scientists have worked so hard to unveil. From my experiences, Christians are the least tolerant people I know.Â My own family included. However, I'm still optimistic because although the closet is dark, it's also pretty crowded : )

I'm a total pro-evolution person so take what I am about to say in that light. I love the Darwin fish (I remember laughing out loud when I saw it for the first time) but I do acknowledge that it is "defacing" the original Christian fish emblem (with no feet, tail or Darwin!).Â So it is deliberately provocative to the Christian anti-evolution folks. Not that it gives them the right to take it off your car! They have no sense of humor as we have seen over and over again....

As a fervent believer in both God and evolution, it is apparent to me that these vandalsÂ have done a poor job of learning the message of love and compassion. Is this how they expect to win over non-believers?Â

I was raised Catholic, but thankfully science has shown me the light.I'm now a closet atheist.Â This articleÂ is a reminder of how religionÂ slows our understanding of reality (at best) and aggressively counters against what scientists have worked so hard to unveil. From my experiences, Christians are the least tolerant people I know.Â My own family included. However, I'm still optimistic because although the closet is dark, it's also pretty crowded : )

I'm a total pro-evolution person so take what I am about to say in that light. I love the Darwin fish (I remember laughing out loud when I saw it for the first time) but I do acknowledge that it is "defacing" the original Christian fish emblem (with no feet, tail or Darwin!).Â So it is deliberately provocative to the Christian anti-evolution folks. Not that it gives them the right to take it off your car! They have no sense of humor as we have seen over and over again....

As a fervent believer in both God and evolution, it is apparent to me that these vandalsÂ have done a poor job of learning the message of love and compassion. Is this how they expect to win over non-believers?Â

I was raised Catholic, but thankfully science has shown me the light.I'm now a closet atheist.Â This articleÂ is a reminder of how religionÂ slows our understanding of reality (at best) and aggressively counters against what scientists have worked so hard to unveil. From my experiences, Christians are the least tolerant people I know.Â My own family included. However, I'm still optimistic because although the closet is dark, it's also pretty crowded : )

I'm a total pro-evolution person so take what I am about to say in that light. I love the Darwin fish (I remember laughing out loud when I saw it for the first time) but I do acknowledge that it is "defacing" the original Christian fish emblem (with no feet, tail or Darwin!).Â So it is deliberately provocative to the Christian anti-evolution folks. Not that it gives them the right to take it off your car! They have no sense of humor as we have seen over and over again....

I am totally pro-Christianity and anti-evolution and I would never even think of removing an emblem from someone else's car.Â What IÂ think is funny isÂ to seeÂ the fish with "truth" inside it eating the Darwin fish, but I guess I don't have a sense of humor : )

You must not have been much of a student of catholic theology, if you think that the Catholic church today is anti-science. Certainly, the Catholic teaching on evolution is one of supporting the ideas of natural selection and evolution of man from a non-human primate ancestor. Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics, was an ordained monk. There is nothing naturally conflicting between being a practicing Catholic and believing in evolution. Now, fundamentalist protestant denominations are a different story.

A fanatic 'ism' is not in conformity with science. The anti-evolution vandalism reported at the University of Florida or elsewhere is not acceptable. The pro-evolution 'Darwinism', similarly, does not need to be aggressively advertised.Â In fact both anti- and pro-evolutionÂ fanaticismÂ reflects a lack of respect for alternative views. Whether or not evolution has happened or is happening has to be decided on the basis of scientific evidence but certainly not on a fixed idea and assertiveÂ rhetoric.Â Charles Darwin himself put 'his' ideas of evolution to debate. Unfortunately, the neo-DarwinistsÂ made 'their own' version of evolution a dogma, a fashion and an 'ism'. The facts of evolution shall remain so with or without a logo, with or without anti-evolution vandalism and without or without advertisement.So folks, do science with open and inquisitive minds.Â SKT NasarKolkata, INDIA

They are not, you may choose to believe on a god and accept the evidence for evolution. The problem is that not religion teaching, from historical context, supports evolution, Bible, Koran, Torah etc..You either try to interpret the writings or accept them as word of a god. As long as you keep them apart they are not exclusive.

I am totally pro-Christianity and anti-evolution and I would never even think of removing an emblem from someone else's car.Â What IÂ think is funny isÂ to seeÂ the fish with "truth" inside it eating the Darwin fish, but I guess I don't have a sense of humor : )

You must not have been much of a student of catholic theology, if you think that the Catholic church today is anti-science. Certainly, the Catholic teaching on evolution is one of supporting the ideas of natural selection and evolution of man from a non-human primate ancestor. Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics, was an ordained monk. There is nothing naturally conflicting between being a practicing Catholic and believing in evolution. Now, fundamentalist protestant denominations are a different story.

A fanatic 'ism' is not in conformity with science. The anti-evolution vandalism reported at the University of Florida or elsewhere is not acceptable. The pro-evolution 'Darwinism', similarly, does not need to be aggressively advertised.Â In fact both anti- and pro-evolutionÂ fanaticismÂ reflects a lack of respect for alternative views. Whether or not evolution has happened or is happening has to be decided on the basis of scientific evidence but certainly not on a fixed idea and assertiveÂ rhetoric.Â Charles Darwin himself put 'his' ideas of evolution to debate. Unfortunately, the neo-DarwinistsÂ made 'their own' version of evolution a dogma, a fashion and an 'ism'. The facts of evolution shall remain so with or without a logo, with or without anti-evolution vandalism and without or without advertisement.So folks, do science with open and inquisitive minds.Â SKT NasarKolkata, INDIA

They are not, you may choose to believe on a god and accept the evidence for evolution. The problem is that not religion teaching, from historical context, supports evolution, Bible, Koran, Torah etc..You either try to interpret the writings or accept them as word of a god. As long as you keep them apart they are not exclusive.

I am totally pro-Christianity and anti-evolution and I would never even think of removing an emblem from someone else's car.Â What IÂ think is funny isÂ to seeÂ the fish with "truth" inside it eating the Darwin fish, but I guess I don't have a sense of humor : )

A fanatic 'ism' is not in conformity with science. The anti-evolution vandalism reported at the University of Florida or elsewhere is not acceptable. The pro-evolution 'Darwinism', similarly, does not need to be aggressively advertised.Â In fact both anti- and pro-evolutionÂ fanaticismÂ reflects a lack of respect for alternative views. Whether or not evolution has happened or is happening has to be decided on the basis of scientific evidence but certainly not on a fixed idea and assertiveÂ rhetoric.Â Charles Darwin himself put 'his' ideas of evolution to debate. Unfortunately, the neo-DarwinistsÂ made 'their own' version of evolution a dogma, a fashion and an 'ism'. The facts of evolution shall remain so with or without a logo, with or without anti-evolution vandalism and without or without advertisement.So folks, do science with open and inquisitive minds.Â SKT NasarKolkata, INDIA

You must not have been much of a student of catholic theology, if you think that the Catholic church today is anti-science. Certainly, the Catholic teaching on evolution is one of supporting the ideas of natural selection and evolution of man from a non-human primate ancestor. Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics, was an ordained monk. There is nothing naturally conflicting between being a practicing Catholic and believing in evolution. Now, fundamentalist protestant denominations are a different story.

They are not, you may choose to believe on a god and accept the evidence for evolution. The problem is that not religion teaching, from historical context, supports evolution, Bible, Koran, Torah etc..You either try to interpret the writings or accept them as word of a god. As long as you keep them apart they are not exclusive.

You are correct. I'm a much better scientist than a catholic theologist.But keep in mind that I also used identical rationalizations to balance my belief in religion and science.Â You follow catholic teachings thatÂ are continually revamped (or better yet, corrected) to conform with the findings of science.Â Why aren't you just following science?

Oh and I forgot.Â Priests raping little boys and the internal studyÂ blaming it on "The 60's"Â sealed the deal for me.

You are correct. I'm a much better scientist than a catholic theologist.But keep in mind that I also used identical rationalizations to balance my belief in religion and science.Â You follow catholic teachings thatÂ are continually revamped (or better yet, corrected) to conform with the findings of science.Â Why aren't you just following science?

Oh and I forgot.Â Priests raping little boys and the internal studyÂ blaming it on "The 60's"Â sealed the deal for me.

You are correct. I'm a much better scientist than a catholic theologist.But keep in mind that I also used identical rationalizations to balance my belief in religion and science.Â You follow catholic teachings thatÂ are continually revamped (or better yet, corrected) to conform with the findings of science.Â Why aren't you just following science?

Oh and I forgot.Â Priests raping little boys and the internal studyÂ blaming it on "The 60's"Â sealed the deal for me.

One way to blow their little minds would be for a fish symbol with feet and Jesus on the inside. Â Neither Jesus nor Darwin is responsible for the fact of evolution, so either one would make sense (although Darwin and Wallace were the first two to actually describe the motor that makes evolution run.)

One way to blow their little minds would be for a fish symbol with feet and Jesus on the inside. Â Neither Jesus nor Darwin is responsible for the fact of evolution, so either one would make sense (although Darwin and Wallace were the first two to actually describe the motor that makes evolution run.)

One way to blow their little minds would be for a fish symbol with feet and Jesus on the inside. Â Neither Jesus nor Darwin is responsible for the fact of evolution, so either one would make sense (although Darwin and Wallace were the first two to actually describe the motor that makes evolution run.)